Why you should book your exterior shoot in at the beginning of the summer

May is THE best month to get those inviting, stand-out exterior shots of your venue taken.

The light is ideal, there’s less chance of rain, the leaves are on the trees and there’s less contrast compared with the later summer months.

Plus, seeing as we can’t always rely on the weather in the UK, it means you’ve got some time to rearrange your shoot if necessary.

We have been shooting exteriors for architects, hotels, restaurants, cafes, public spaces and more for over 30 years. From ambient sunrise shots to powerful dusk captures, we know exactly what is needed to capture your venue in its best light.

You may not have given the exterior of your venue much thought but it’s important, trust us.

So, if you’re ready to get your shoot booked in here’s what to think about…

What to think about when you book your exterior photography:

What kind of shots do you need?

Depending on what your business does, certain photographic styles will be more appropriate for you. If you’re an architectural firm your shots will need to be clean and slightly dramatic to capture the attention of potential clients. The images produced will need to incorporate wide angle and detail shots that best show off your architectural abilities.

On the other hand, if you’re a family-run bakery that wants to capture the atmosphere on a Sunday morning as people queue for the best bread in the town, your images will be very different and have more creative/ambient feel to them.

What time of day suits your business best?

Once you’ve established the kind of shots you need it’s fairly simply to work out when these should be taken.

If you’re the café, Saturday/Sunday mornings are when you want to be shooting—there will be atmospheric light and lots of people around. However, if you’re an architectural firm and you’ve recently completed a large project it might be that you need to spend the whole day working your way around the property to make the most of the light at different times of the day.

Do you want people in the shot?

A question often left until the end which usually means the photographer jumping into a timed shot, not ideal. If you’re space needs a sense of scale or a sense of atmosphere this needs to be thought about before arranging a shoot. Make sure there are people around on the day that don’t mind being in your shots.

If you need help with hiring models, just ask, we have plenty of experience with this! Find out more.

What are you trying to achieve?

Instead of just thinking about what sort of images you like, think about what you’re trying to achieve with your new imagery. Are you telling new customers about your amazing roof terrace or are you showcasing your architectural precision and attention to detail?

Whatever it is you want to achieve with your imagery it’s vital to let your photographer know beforehand. Let them know where the imagery will be used, who will be seeing it and why it’s needed.

Is there travel involved for a photographer?

If you’re set on sunrise/sunset photographs remember that both only allow for a very small window of time to get the right shots. If your photographer needs to be with you at 6am make sure it’s easy for them to get there or provide accommodation for the night before if necessary.

Is there cleaning that needs to be done first?

Imagine booking a shoot for the outside of your hotel only to find the window cleaner is coming a week later? Retouching can only do so much and can be an expensive way to go! Make sure your building/façade is at its best before shoot day.

If you’re ready to tell the world about your roof terrace cocktail bar, your bustling café or your technical building abilities give us a shout.